Swiss giant Nestlé is recalling some batches of its infant nutrition products, including SMA, BEBA and NAN formulas, in 25 countries due to possible contamination with a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting.
In SA, Nestlé will recall a batch of its NAN Special Pro baby formula, which was manufactured on 15 June 2025 and has an expiration date of 15 December 2026. The product’s batch number 51660742F3, reports News24. Since December, the Swiss group has recalled several baby formula products across Europe. The group had detected a “quality issue” in an ingredient sourced from one of its major suppliers, Reuters reported.
"Nestle has undertaken testing of all arachidonic acid oil and corresponding oil mixes used in the production of potentially impacted infant nutrition products,” it said on its website.
Investigations showed the potential presence of cereulide, a toxin that can cause digestive issues.
Batches of formula in Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Switzerland and Britain were all recalled this week.
It said the recall in SA is a precautionary measure as part of the company’s quality and safety protocols, and that no illnesses have been confirmed so far. “No other Nestlé products or other batches of the same product are impacted,” Nestlé spokesperson Conny Sethaelo said.
Nestlé, which makes products ranging from KitKat to Nescafe, said no illnesses had been confirmed in connection with the recalled products and that after a quality issue was detected in an ingredient from a leading supplier, it had undertaken “testing of all arachidonic acid oil and corresponding oil mixes used in the production of its potentially impacted infant nutrition products”.
It has since recalled affected products and is activating alternative suppliers of arachidonic acid oil, ramping up production at several factories and accelerating the release of unaffected products from distribution centres to maintain supply, it added.
Food poisoning symptoms can quickly develop
Problems with baby formula can be damaging for companies. Britain’s Reckitt is exploring options, including a sale, for its Mead Johnson business, which faces hundreds of lawsuits in the US over claims – which it denies – that its infant formula can cause a fatal intestinal illness in premature babies.
Nestlé, which controls almost a quarter of the $92.2bn global infant nutrition market, said the recall covered batches sold across Europe, as well as in Turkey and Argentina, due to possible contamination with cereulide, a toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus.
“The toxin is unlikely to be deactivated or destroyed by cooking, using boiling water or when making the infant milk,” said Britain’s Food Standards Agency (FSA).
“Cereulide … can cause food poisoning symptoms which can be quick to develop and include vomiting and stomach cramps,” said Jane Rawling, head of incidents at the FSA.
Largest recall in Nestlé history
Austria’s Health Ministry, where Nestlé has a significant presence, said the recall affected more than 800 products from more than 10 factories and was the largest in the company’s history.
The company had published batch numbers for products sold in various countries that should not be consumed and said it was working to minimise supply disruption.
It had identified the potential risk at one factory in the Netherlands.
Dutch food safety authority NVWA said Nestlé’s investigation showed the contaminated raw material had been used at multiple production sites, including outside the Netherlands.
News24 – Nestlé recalls NAN baby formula batch in SA over toxin fears (Restricted access)
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